,n;- 9 ^ 51 -If s 3 ^ Library '■. "i 5436 V/6 BSw/ CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS, BINSTEAD, ISLE OF AVIGHT. FRO.\r DRAWINGS AND ADMEASUREMENTS BY R. J. WITHERS, ARCHITECT. About a mile and a half to the westward of Ryde, and bordering on the coast of the Solent Sea, is situate the beautiful and picturesque village cliurch of Binstead, and which the accompanying Plates are intended to represent in detail. The surrounding scenery is well calculated for privacy and devotion, the church being encompassed with tall and stately trees, rearing their heads as if to protect the small and humble house of God from all harm and irreverence. On taking an ex- terior view we perceive that the foundation and other parts of walls clearlv indicate the primary structure to be Norman, and one small circular head light l-^i inches wide and 4' 2" to the springing under a segmental arch inside, and coeval with the original building, remains in the n.e. corner of nave, the remaining windows being modern innovations, with the exception of the e. and s.e. of chancel, which appear to have been inserted towards the latter end of the thirteenth centuiy ; that on the N.E. is a pretended copy by a country mason of the pi-esent century of the beautiful two-light window opposite, but as coarse and incorrect in detail as possible. It is e^adent that the roof of chancel, as well as the cross upon the east gable and coping, were added about the same time as the windows. A low segmental chancel arch, erected at the time the Norman church was built, remained until some few years ago, when it was destroyed, and a common pointed one substituted ; the imposts of PART VIII. — AECII. II. B o 2 CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS, BINSTEAD, ISLE OF WIGHT. the original arch remain, which are given in Plate 5. The old bell remains in the wooden bell cot with a more modern one, the inscription on the former being in early character, " Sancfa Maria ora pro nobis." No ancient records remain which would enable us to throw any light upon the erection or subsequent alteration of this little village church, but it is undoubtedly dedicated to the Holy Cross, from its being mentioned as such by various antiquarian writers, and from another still more striking certainty, that of its orientation, it being built pointing exactly 5' 30" north of east, being about the point the sun rises on the 14th of September, the day of the exaltation of the Holy Cross or Holy Rood. Plate 1. By this the general character of the church may be formed, which when this sketch was taken was in a very deplorable state, but has lately been nearly rebuilt and perfectly restored, and much to the credit of those engaged. A square trefoil-headed " Ij/chnoscope " (Cam. Cam. Soc.) remains blocked up in the s.w. corner of chancel. Plate 2. This beautiful early example of stained glass dates undoubtedly with the window to which it belongs, and from its extreme simplicity deserves particular attention. The plan is as usual, nave and chancel, the latter being very well pro- portioned. No traces on the outside wall on north side of chancel remain to show whether there ever existed a sacristy to account for the recess in the wall, as it appears to have been a locker for some purpose, and is therefore open to conjecture. Plate 3. An elegant specimen of an early decorated window, and symbolical in every respect of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, it being divided into three lights and three circles, these subdivided into three trefoils, each trefoil having three spandrils, the whole comprised under o?ie arch. It will also be seen that the same radius that describes the underside of outside arch, is the same that describes the underside of the inside arch, thereby making it equal, but still spreading more inside for the better admission of light. The label is the same to the interior and exterior of this and the tvvo-lijjht window next j>iven. Plate 4. This window is coeval with the one just mentioned, and equally beautiful, although not so strikingly symbolical ; the interior arch immediately over the window is the same as the outside one, it being brought through, and thus gives a greater variety of lines than if it were absent. Plate 5. Fig. 1 represents the roof of chancel, and undoubtedly of early decorated character ; this was a common example in former days, and beautiful it must have appeared where there was a long and unbroken line, because evert/ rafter was thus trussed and placed about 18 inches apart ; but we rarely or ever see such a specimen now. Better times being in store, we may therefore look forward with hope to CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS, BINSTEAD, ISLE OF WIGHT. 3 an amendment in such things. Figs. Q. and 3 are the quaint and original imposts on the N. and s. sides of chancel, and once supported a beautiful segmental Norman arch. Fig. 4. This was also discovered during the recent repairs, and has been placed over one of the west lancets. Fig. 5. This symbol of eternity was originally the key-stone to the porch door, and is now placed over the other west lancet. Fig. 6. The cross on east gable, and apparently of the same date as the roof, but rather mutilated ; this has also been restored. Fig. 7- The piscina in the sill of the s.e. chancel window, and of very uncommon design. Fig. 8. The Holy Dove with the nimbus ; this was found during the recent alterations, and has been very properly placed over the entrance door of the new porch, in which place many examples occur. Before concluding these remarks, a few words may not be amiss upon the late beautiful restorations which have been undertaken since these drawings were made ; the nave has been entirely rebuilt in the early English style ; a bell turret with spire and a new and beautiful open oak roof added, the whole being seated throughout with oak benches, with standards and poppy heads beautifully carved, a stone pulpit and elaborately carved reading stall, and a font of exquisite workmanship, representing the fall and redemption of man in eight compartments. The chancel windows glow with beautifully painted glass of superior design and execution, the east window being a memorial, as stated by a brass in the sill, to a deceased father by his children ; and what can be more suitable for a gift to comme- morate one departed in the faith, and whom we loved, and at the same time enrich our beautiful Gothic churches ? The altar table and railing are formed from old carvings purchased for that purpose, and exceedingly chaste and elegant : indeed sufficient cannot be said to form the least idea of this now beautiful house of God, and a visit would amply repay any one fond of ecclesiastical architecture. The details are beautifully correct, the whole being designed and carried out by JMr. Thomas Hellyer, of Ryde, Isle of Wight. Would that others would follow the example of the worthy rector of Binstead, the Rev. P. Hewett, by whose exertions, aided by a few subscribing friends, this hitherto degraded house of prayer has been rendered one worthy of the JNIost High, and, when complete, will be an everlasting monument of the piety and generosity of those engaged. R. J. WITHERS. .5. of H\ . Rffrrrnrr "fs a- 01 V Rc«f«cd utko 1 Loudon. JohnWeaie. IS+S T-^'%- vi'*'*< ..^^•■S"^''' .^ »: 2 i "^ <^r *^ S. W 3 S ■2< i^